fuonlyknew

When H.D. told me she had completed writing Falling Stars and asked if I’d like to read it I did this

I was all over this book and finished it in record time.

Now I get to tell you all about it, and I promise there will be no spoilers, as this is the second book in the series.

But first, please join me and welcome Heather. She’s taken time out of her hectic schedule to do a little interview!

It’s really great to have you on my blog today Heather.  I don’t want to keep everyone waiting, so let’s get started shall we?

1)      How do you write a series? Do you have it all planned out as one story and break it into several books or do you see each story individually?

I start a story, knowing it will end somewhere, and usually even how it will end, but I never know how many words the particular story will take to tell. I get an idea, a character/s, or just a strange situation, and do my best to let it lead me where it will. With my series, I look at the works independently, but I also feel they are just one story broken up into parts, because essentially, they are. While I do my best for people to be able to start with any book (who begins a series with the second or third book anyway?) each book is just a continuation of the last, and being so are dependent on each other.

2)      Which is more fun to write, the good guy or the bad guy?

It depends on the character. But the short answer would be that for me, all writing is fun when it is going well. I look at the thing as a whole-which means that no matter whose perspective I’m writing from at a particular time, if I’m doing my job correctly, it is always enjoyable. I don’t write just word to word or sentence to sentence. I write from beginning to end-something that flows from paragraph to paragraph, page to page, and chapter to chapter. Everything depends on everything else, if that makes sense, so while characters may be different, they all are ingredients to the same cake.

3)      Do the characters come first or the events?

Characters, usually. Then the situation, not necessarily the events. I am inspired in some way to write a particular character, to be that character for a while, and then I place them in some sort of terrible situation, just to see how resourceful they are at getting out of it. That way, I learn more and more about the character as I go along; how they react when faced with certain problems, what morals they guide themselves by, and so on. I also learn a lot about myself, because most of the time the person on the page and their feelings strongly reflect my own at whatever point in my life I’m at. The characters always become their own people, always tell me their stories as we move along. But initially, it is usually about freeing something that’s been trapped in my soul, about sharing those things with other like-minded souls.

4)      Would you like your books made into movies or a television series?

Oh, either one would be cool. I think every author would agree with that, but I also think it would be strange. I’ve already seen the stories acted out on the screen in my head, so the differences between the two would be something interesting to me.

5)      If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?

Hmm, no one has ever asked me that. I wouldn’t want to be anything, except a mother, of course. But what I mean is, I didn’t choose writing. Writing chose me. I have been writing since I first saw words fall right on a page, which was pretty early because I was never restricted reading material. My mother gave me To Kill a Mockingbird when I was about seven. She gave me a collection of short stories and poems by Edgar Allen Poe when I was around five or six. I would read and read while other kids did whatever other kids did. It didn’t take very long before I found myself compelled, challenged to see if I could do better. I have always had to write. I have had to write since before I ever even understood what a paycheck was.

Five Fun Shorts!

1)      High heels or flip flops?

Flip flops. Definitely.

2)      If getting a tattoo, what would it be?

I have several actually. But my next tattoo will say “wordsmith” in old typewriter print. Black ink, on the inside of my bicep.

3)      Were you a tomboy or Barbie doll girl?

Tomboy. Still am. I love to fish and be outdoors. I wear sweatpants and t-shirts unless there is a special occasion.

4)      Your favorite indulgence?

I wish I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.

5)      Fly a plane or drive a race car?

Neither. I’m a weanie. I like to keep my feet on the ground.

That was fun! Thanks for answering my questions and letting us all get to know more about you.

Thank you so much for having me!

~~~~

And now I get to show you the cover art!

Just look at Charlie!

Synopsis

Surah Stormsong’s life has fallen down around her in the past week. Her father is in a coma induced by demon poison, two Highborn Sorceresses have been murdered, and a crazed Sorcerer by the name of Black Heart has made it his mission to take the kingdom for his own. As princess, and next in line to the throne, Surah is his primary target. But he’s not the only one she has to look out for.
Now, Surah is on the run, having just helped Charlie Redmine escape from the castle dungeons. This makes her a traitor in the eyes of many, as Charlie is not only a common man suspected of murder and treason, but also Black Heart’s younger brother.
The stars are crossed against the two lovers, the universe trying to keep them apart. In the end, will the stars align for Surah and Charlie, or will they fall from the heavens, dead and lifeless, like the tears of angels?

My Review

H.D. has done it again!

I’ve read her Alexa Montgomery Saga, every one, and just like with them, this series just keeps getting better.

I loved Shooting Stars, just loved it. Now that I’ve read Falling Stars, I’ll tell you, it’s so much better. Not to say the first book wasn’t awesome, but which each book, H.D. ups her standards and rises above it every time.

This book grabs hold of you with the first sentence and never lets you go.

My favorite books are character driven and the stars of the Surah Stormsong Series are incredible.

Surah is wonderful. She’s smart yet impulsive, self-confident yet vulnerable, scared yet double-tough. And Charlie has her acting all girlie.

“…this man, just had a way of making her feel like a silly teenager, which was ridiculous considering she was older than most creatures on Earth. For the first time in a very long time, she felt as young as she looked, which was no older than twenty.”

I had such a great time getting to know Surah better. Wait until you read how she cleans house. Wish I could do that.

Charlie. Charlie is delectable. Sexy and sardonic, confident,and shy. How could I not love Charlie. What worries Charlie, worries me too. Will Surah still feel the same about him when she learns his secret. A secret that will shoot straight to her heart?

“The Charlie Effect.”

Another thing H.D. does really well is the romance. This is the second book and Surah and Charlie are slowly falling in love. It’s not instant love but a fondness built on getting to know each other. That makes it much more fun to read. You want them to finally say it, to admit their feelings, and that keeps you pouring over the words, looking for it.

Then there’s Black Heart, Charlie’s brother. He goes deeper into his lust for revenge and is hooked up with Tristell, the Fae Queen. Boy, what a twisted affair that is. Neither one shows any feelings for others. That makes them the perfect diabolical companions.

Follow one of their conversations if you can.

“Michael is always thinking inside of boxes,” she said.

He sighed, “And Tristell is always speaking in riddles.”

I can’t forget Samson, Surah’s tiger. He’s been left behind at the castle while Surah and Charlie are on the run and he’s being very sneaky, staying in the shadows, watching and listening as sorcerers whisper and conspire in dark places. I love reading his thoughts. He’s almost human sometimes, then his tiger side comes through. Wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.

There are some wicked creatures and extreme action in this story. I wouldn’t expect anything less from H.D. Her fight scenes are almost graceful when described. You can practically see the action, feel it, and hear it. Just like her characters, it’s all so real.

Some scenes remind you that Charlie and Surah both can be cold-blooded and it chills you when they exact punishment. And at some points in the story you almost can’t discern their individual voices. That’s how well this is written. You begin to understand how similar these two are, how they think alike, how well they go together, like soul-mates.

“I can only breathe right when you’re breathing beside me.”

Most excellent writing.

As the story races to the finish, you wonder how anything can be alright, how anything good can happen. Each time you think it’s going okay, something goes horribly wrong, taking you in another direction. I felt as Surah so eloquently put it,

“However this ends, wherever this is going, it’s going to effect a lot of people. Innocent people. I can feel that in my blood…I just hope whatever role I play isn’t one that causes heartache and pain.”

There’s so much more I want to tell you. I have nine pages of notes. But I’m going to let you read this super awesome story and find out for yourself.

One more thing. Watch out for the ending. It will rip you up one side and down the other. This ain’t over.

Prepare to be enthralled. I was and still am.

5 Stars

~~~

A quote I just have to share with you. So Poignant.

“Because she was, after all, a princess, and she wanted so badly to believe her story would end in happily ever after.”

~~~

Shooting Stars, Book One

My 5 Star Review

Synopsis

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About H.D. Gordon

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

You can follow H.D. Gordon at:

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads Author Page

H.D.Gordon Facebook page

Webpage

Goodreads Fan Club

H.D. Gordon’s Books

The Surah Stormsong Series

The Alexa Montgomery Saga

JOE

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